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Monday, July 8, 2013

Tropical Biology: The Natural History of Costa Rica

Prescott College offers a range of truly awesome summer
classes, such as Aboriginal Living Skills; Maasailand: A Study in Community
Activism, which takes place in Kenya; River Guides Training, which takes place
in Utah; Predators & Prey, an ecology class which takes place in the
Colorado Rockies; and Tropical Biology, which takes place in Costa Rica. This
summer, I was lucky enough to take the Tropical Biology course and spend three
weeks studying intensely in Costa Rica.

We travelled to eight different locations, ranging from the
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, to Volcan Arenal (an active volcano), to Finca
Luna Nueva (a biodynamic farm), to La Selva in the lowlands. We saw tons of
breathtaking wildlife, including hundreds of species of plants, too many birds
to count, snakes, frogs, and mammals such as sloths, three species of monkeys,
and the rare margay.

Baby spider monkey at Arenal Volcano National Park

The class was academically rigorous as well, and each
student walked away with a field journal full of species accounts and notes from
our trips. We hiked in the morning and had class in the evening, taking the
occasional night hike as well. We learned so much about biology, ecology, Costa
Rican history, and political and environmental issues regarding agriculture and
deforestation.

Our classroom in Monteverde

I could have simply learned about tropical biology in a classroom,
but it wouldn’t even have come close to the experience I had on this trip. I
wouldn’t have been able to be a mere three meters away from a margay, or feel
the thick, plasticy leaves of a Faramea, or witness a pair of resplendent
quetzals interact with each other. I will never forget those experiences. And
that’s thanks to Prescott College’s philosophy of experiential education.

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Matt Seats

Competence: Wilderness Leadership (Adventure Education)Breadth: Environmental Studies (Land Management Policy)Favorite Place: I really enjoy Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, but Rum Point in Grand Cayman and the jungles and cloud forests in the Chiriqui region of Panama are pretty amazing too!On My Days Off I Like To: Rock climb, write, bike, hike, kayak and otherwise spend time outdoors.After I Graduate: I hope to split my time between teaching/instructing in the field, working on land management policy research and issues at the Bureau of Land Management (or other land management agency), and guiding international expeditions.

Amanda August

Competence: Human Development

Breadth: Cultural and Regional Studies; Adventure Education

My Favorite Place: Recently I traveled to Seattle and Rainier Nat'l Park and absolutely loved it. I also worked in the Sierra Nevadas last year and can't wait to get back this coming summer and explore more!

On My Days Off I Like To: Hiking/Climbing/Cycling, Check out what's new at the Picture Show, Tinker with projects, Letterboxing, Traveling with friends.

After I Graduate: Continue on to get my Masters, working in Non Profits serving under served Youth, invoking systemic change while promoting experiential education as a basic academic necessity. Canoe the Yukon. Travel South America. Open a brewery. You know, do it all.

Hannah Jean Marshall

Competence: A double competence in Wilderness Leadership with an emphasis in Gender studies, and The Political Economy and Social Justice Favorite place: Where ever I find my adventureOn My Saturdays Off I Like To: See what the day brings...

After I Graduate: I will be a rock star

Ruby Teegarden

Competence: Environmental PolicyBreadth: Music EducationFavorite Place: San Francisco/BerkeleyOn my Saturdays off I like to Read, be in the sun, cook yummy foodAfter I graduate I plan on making our food systems more sustainable, among other things.